Electricity was developed over the years through the discoveries made by various inventors before at last, the fully functional electrical system was developed. The war of currents was the major series of events that decided the electrical system that we use today. It began in 1870s and the lasted till 1890s.

Direct current (DC) was first founded by Alessandro Voltas who invented first electric battery by voltaic pile in 1800s. Then by Thomas Edison developed the direct current power generation system and used it to light up his own house. Few years later in 1892, Edison Electric Light Company founded by Thomas began the work of supplying electricity followed by many other similar companies.

The direct current distribution system became popular as the arc lighting was marketed by Edison Electric Company. Nikole Tesla, engineer worked under Thomas left behind the company and joined George Westinghouse who also began an electrical company to supply direct current but the direct current could not be supplied to long distance and has a low voltage.

NEW COMPETITION: ALTERNATING CURRENT (AC)

Everything changed when alternating current (AC) was introduced in 1881 by George Westinghouse.

Alternating current transmitted high voltage and could reach longer distance as a result, thus giving him a business advantage. Seeing the growing demand for alternating current, Thomas felt threatened and his company spread a rumor that alternating currents were hazardous in 1881.

Harold Pitney, an engineer also strongly opposed the AC-network and said that AC wiring in the city can prove to be dangerous. He made appeals to limit the AC voltage to 300V but his demand was met with strong opposition.

In 1889, the wiring work in the cities caused some deaths that led panic in people and fearing the wires draped on the poles around the cities. The panic at last forced many AC companies to shut down and also made government pass a law to make the wires underground.

END RESULT

At last, the victory came to George Westinghouse when he won the bid for the World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893. His work for the exposition proved the alternating current can be used safely and his work won him contract for building a power station in Niagara Falls.

Alternating current began being used in the household, business and electrical appliances but direct currents are used in laptop, solar Panels, flashlights, radios and small electronic appliances. Direct Current was expensive to supply at longer distance, a problem that Alternating current would not face.

Citation

(November 2014). The War of the Currents: AC vs. DC Power. U.S Department of Energy.

The war of the currents. Institute of Physics.

(August 2022). Why AC Power REALLY Won the Current Wars. Cence Power